JP3313955B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus suitable for an ink jet recording system. Here, the recording includes ink application (printing) to all ink supports to which ink is applied, such as cloth, thread, paper, and sheet material. The present invention includes a printer as the output device, and the present invention can be used for them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording method, recording is performed by flying small droplets of a recording liquid and applying the droplets to a recording medium on paper or the like.

However, inks used in conventional ink jet recording generally contain water as a main component, and generally contain a water-soluble high-boiling solvent such as glycol for the purpose of preventing drying and clogging. When recording is performed on plain paper using such an ink, a non-uniform image, which is presumed to be due to insufficient fixability or an uneven distribution of the filler and the sizing agent on the recording paper surface, is generated. I did. In particular, when trying to obtain a color image, a plurality of colors of ink are successively superimposed on each other before being fixed on the paper, so that colors are blurred or mixed unevenly at a boundary portion between images of different colors. No satisfactory image was obtained.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is disclosed a method in which a liquid capable of forming an image on a recording medium is applied as a processing liquid prior to the ejection of the recording ink.

For example, JP-A-5-202328 discloses an ink composition containing at least one chemical dye having at least one carboxyl group and a polyvalent metal salt solution. A method for obtaining a good image by applying an ink composition after applying a metal salt solution is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-75870 discloses a method for forming an image for obtaining a good image, and a processing liquid and an ink composition used for the method.

[0007] In the above-mentioned embodiments of JP-A-5-202328 and JP-A-61-75870, prior to recording by an ink jet recording head, a treatment liquid is applied to a recording medium using a roller. It is shown.

In each of these techniques, a treatment liquid is applied to the recording medium in a width direction at a time by an application roller having a length equal to or longer than the recording medium width.

[0009]

However, as described above, a coating roller having a length equal to or greater than the width of a recording medium is used.
In the case where the processing liquid is applied all at once in the width direction of the recording medium, the processing liquid can be applied all at once in conjunction with the transport operation of the recording medium, so it is efficient, but also has the following problems. Was.

(1) Even if the recording medium is not pinched by the roller pair, the coating operation is performed, so that the processing liquid is loaded on the roller, and when the recording medium is pinched by the roller pair, In addition, the processing liquid is spilled to the back side of the recording medium, and the processing liquid is wasted, or is re-transferred onto the platen, and causes contamination in combination with the ink mist.

(2) Since the place where the processing liquid is applied and the part where the actual image data is recorded by the ink are physically separated, time elapses from the application of the processing liquid to the recording of the image data. As a result, the processing liquid excessively penetrates into the recording medium or volatilizes, and as a result, the image quality deteriorates depending on the compatibility between the processing liquid and the ink containing the coloring material.

(3) When an image is formed by ejecting ink from the recording head onto the joint of the processing liquid applied on the recording medium (paper surface), the ink is ejected simultaneously before and after the joint. Since the elapsed time after applying the processing liquid is different before and after the seam, the degree of penetration of the processing liquid into the paper is different before and after the seam, and as a result, the coloring material in the ink existing on the surface of the paper surface A difference occurs in the surface density of the active ingredient for aggregating the coloring material, and the aggregating state of the coloring material changes, resulting in image unevenness.

(4) Since the length of the roller is required to be longer than the width of the recording medium, this is one factor that hinders downsizing of the apparatus.

Further, the method for continuously applying the treatment liquid to the recording medium in a contact manner with a roller or the like as described above has the following problems.

(1) When a treatment liquid is applied to a recording medium having an ink receiving layer already formed on a base material such as an OHP sheet or so-called coated paper prior to ink ejection, the preceding ink receiving layer becomes Since it is assumed that the ink is directly applied, the image is deteriorated by the influence of the extra processing liquid.

(2) If the coating operation is performed in the absence of the recording medium in the processing liquid application section, such as during idle rotation of paper feeding and discharging, excess processing liquid will be applied to the platen below the coating section. As a result, the platen stain due to the adhesion of the ink mist, the stain is re-transferred to the treatment liquid application unit, and the stain adheres to the recording medium, or the capacity of the treatment liquid becomes insufficient than the expected number.

(3) When used as a printer output of a computer or the like, and particularly when a large amount of data transfer such as a high-definition color image is required, image formation is performed for a long time by transferring data between the computer and the printer during image formation. In the case where the processing liquid is interrupted and the processing liquid application unit is kept in contact with the recording medium during that time, an excessive amount of the processing liquid is applied to the recording medium, and the image is disturbed by this influence.

(4) Incorrect conveyance of the recording medium When a so-called jam occurs, if the processing liquid application unit is kept in contact with the recording medium, it is difficult to remove the recording medium, and the processing liquid is applied unnecessarily. I will.

Further, in the case where the recording ink storage section has a separate and independent processing liquid storage section, there are the following problems with the replenishment of the processing liquid.

That is, even if the processing liquid is emptied and the image quality deteriorates, the processing liquid is often substantially colorless and transparent as compared with the ink containing the coloring material. The operator cannot know that the cause of the deterioration of the image quality is a shortage of the processing liquid. In order to grasp such a running out of the processing liquid, a remaining amount detecting means dedicated to the processing liquid is required independently, and there is a problem that it becomes a hindrance factor to downsizing of the apparatus and clarity of operation.

[0021]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming an ink image adhered to a recording medium using a processing liquid in a favorable manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality image.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having an application means for applying a processing liquid while abutting on a recording medium, so that a required amount of the processing liquid can be efficiently applied, and miniaturization of the apparatus is also hindered. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that does not use the image.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming method and apparatus capable of applying an appropriate amount of a processing solution when necessary.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the difference in the degree of penetration of the processing liquid into the recording medium due to the difference in the elapsed time from the application of the processing liquid before and after the joint of the processing liquid on the recording medium. Even if there is, the seam of the area to be printed on the recording medium surface is prevented from becoming unsealed, thereby making the surface density of the effective component for aggregating the coloring material in the ink on the recording medium uniform. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can stabilize the degree of aggregation of the color material and record a uniform image without unevenness.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium which can be used even if a difference in surface density of the processing liquid occurs due to a difference in elapsed time after application of the processing liquid before and after the joint of the processing liquid application. A seam is prevented from being formed in an area to be recorded on the surface of the recording medium, thereby uniformizing the surface density of an effective component for aggregating the coloring material in the ink on the recording medium, and aggregating the coloring material. And to provide an image forming apparatus capable of recording a uniform image without unevenness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can always secure a necessary and sufficient amount of processing liquid and can prevent deterioration of image quality.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a carriage for relatively moving an ink jet recording head for discharging ink containing a color material from an ink discharge port with respect to a recording medium, and recording by the ink jet recording head. Prior to the ejection of the ink to the medium, a treatment liquid application unit for applying a treatment liquid for aggregating the color material in the ink in contact with the recording medium and applying the treatment liquid to the recording medium. The distance between the most upstream discharge port and the most downstream discharge port in the recording medium transport direction is L, the processing liquid application width of the processing liquid application means is A, and the most upstream discharge port of the inkjet recording head and the processing When the distance between the processing liquid application area of the liquid application means and the application point on the most downstream side in the recording medium transport direction is P, L = A = P.

Here, an image forming apparatus having an ink tank for storing the ink containing the color material and mounting the ink tank on the carriage, wherein the processing liquid applying means is provided with the ink tank And the recording medium.

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

The processing liquid may be supplied to the processing liquid applying means from a processing liquid storage unit mounted on the carriage.

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

The treatment liquid applying means may be a transfer roller member.

The surface tension of the treatment liquid may be lower than the surface tension of the ink.

The treatment liquid may contain a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink may contain an anionic dye.

The treatment liquid may contain a cationic substance of a low molecular component and a high molecular component, and the ink may contain an anionic dye or at least contain an anionic compound and a pigment.

[0043]

[0044] The ink jet recording head may include an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy for generating energy for discharging the ink.

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

The image forming apparatus described below is an ink jet image forming apparatus for forming a desired image on a recording medium by using an ink jet type recording head. The recording is performed by holding the inkjet recording head to be performed in a head holding unit such as a carriage. The recording by such an ink jet recording head has a feature that a high-definition color image can be obtained with low noise, high speed, and low running cost. further,
This ink jet recording head uses an electrothermal converter or an electromechanical converter to prevent the generation of energy for discharging the ink. In particular, a device using an electrothermal converter can be manufactured using a semiconductor manufacturing process. Further, the head structure can be further downsized.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The recording head 1 is mounted on a carriage 2 together with an ink tank 3 for storing ink containing a coloring material and a processing liquid storage unit 4, and the carriage 2 is a rail 5 fixed to a casing (not shown). And 6 are pivotally supported so as to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. The ink tank 3 and the processing liquid storage unit 4 are configured to be exchangeable with respect to the carriage 2. The recording medium P is sandwiched between two pairs of paper feed rollers 7, 8, 9 and 10, and can be conveyed rightward in the figure. An application roller 13 is disposed below the ink tank 3 and the processing liquid storage unit 4 and above the recording medium P and the platen 11, and its shafts 13 a and 13 b are rotatable about bearings 2 a and 2 b of the carriage 2. It is pivoted. Further, the absorbing member 12 is arranged so as to contact both the application roller 13 and the processing liquid storage unit 4.

Here, the positional relationship between the components described above is as follows.

L = A = P L: Of the nozzle array (ink ejection orifice array) of the print head 1, the most upstream nozzle 1a and the most downstream nozzle 1b in the transport direction (right direction on the paper) of the print medium P Distance A: Processing liquid application width of application roller 13 P: Uppermost stream side nozzle 1a of recording head 1 and application roller 1
Distance between the processing liquid application area 3 and the application point 13c on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium P Next, the image forming operation will be described. The recording medium P conveyed to the pair of paper feed rollers 9 and 10 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) thereafter advances rightward in the drawing by the driving force from the paper feed rollers 9 and 10. Further, the recording medium P is advanced rightward, and the leading end thereof is positioned at the most downstream application point 13.
When the recording medium P has passed through c, the conveyance of the recording medium P is temporarily stopped. Then, the carriage 2 that has been retracted from the space above the recording medium P in the depth direction of the paper surface is scanned toward the paper surface. Then, as the carriage 2 moves, the application roller 13 rotates while abutting on the recording medium P, and applies the processing liquid onto the recording medium P. At this time, the processing liquid is applied from the processing liquid storage unit 4 via the absorbing member 12 to the application roller 1.
3 will be replenished as appropriate. Thereafter, the recording medium P is conveyed rightward by the conveyance amount L (= A = P), and the carriage 2 is scanned to the back side of the paper. Then, along with the reversing movement operation of the carriage 2, the application roller 13 rotates while abutting on the recording medium P in the same manner as described above, and the processing liquid is supplied to the recording medium P.
Apply on top. Next, the transport amount L (= A
= P) to the right, then eject the ink from the recording head 1 at an appropriate timing,
Is scanned toward the front side of the drawing, and an image is formed while reacting the processing liquid and the ink on the recording medium P. At the same time, the processing liquid is applied to the recording medium P by the application roller 13 on the upstream side of the recording head 1 as described above as the scanning operation of the carriage 2 is performed. Hereinafter, the conveyance of the recording medium P and the scanning operation of the carriage 2 are repeated,
An image is formed on the entire surface of the recording medium P while reacting the treatment liquid and the ink.

By setting L = A as in the present embodiment, the distribution density of the processing liquid in the ink recording area by one main scanning operation of the ink jet recording head can be made constant.

Further, by arranging the components in a positional relationship of L = P, the time interval between the application of the processing liquid and the recording operation using the ink can be changed when any main scanning operation of the carriage is performed. However, since it is constant, the permeation level of the processing liquid into the recording medium becomes uniform.

Here, the treatment liquid (colorless liquid) for insolubilizing the ink dye can be obtained, for example, as follows.

That is, after mixing and dissolving the following components,
Further, after filtration under pressure through a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (trade name: Fluoropore Filter, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.), the pH is adjusted to 4.8 with NaOH to obtain a colorless liquid Al.

[Component of Al] Low molecular weight component of cationic compound Stearyl trimethylammonium chloride 2.0 parts (trade name: Electrostopper QE, manufactured by Kao) High molecular weight component of cationic compound Polyamine sulfone (average molecular weight: 5000) 3 0.0 parts (trade name; PAS-92, manufactured by Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.) Thiodiglycol 10 parts Water balance The following can be mentioned as suitable examples of the ink which is mixed with the above-mentioned colorless liquid and insolubilized.

That is, the following components were mixed, filtered under pressure through a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (trade name: chloropore filter, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.), and yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks Y were mixed.
1, M1, C1, and K1 can be obtained.

Y1 C.I. I. Direct Yellow 142 2 parts Thiodiglycol 10 parts Acetyleneol EH (Kawaken Fine Chemical) 0.05 parts Water balance M1 I. Acid Red-289; the same composition as Y1 except that 2.5 parts were used. I. Acid Blue 9: The same composition as Y1 except that 2.5 parts was used. I. In the present invention, the colorless liquid and the ink described above are mixed with the colorless liquid and the ink on the material to be printed or on the material to be printed in a mixture of the colorless liquid and the ink each having the same composition or more as Y1 except that the food black 2 is replaced by 3 parts. As a result of mixing at the permeated position, as a first step of the reaction, the low molecular weight component of the cationic substance contained in the colorless liquid and the water-soluble dye having an anionic group used in the ink are mixed. An association is caused by ionic interaction, and instantaneous separation from the solution phase occurs.

Next, in the second stage of the reaction, since the above-mentioned aggregate of the dye and the low molecular weight cationic substance is adsorbed by the high molecular component contained in the colorless liquid, the dye formed by the association is produced. The size of the agglomerates is further increased, making it difficult for the aggregates to enter the gaps between the fibers of the printing material.As a result, only the liquid portion that has been separated into solid and liquid penetrates into the recording paper, thereby achieving a balance between print quality and fixability. Achieved. At the same time, the aggregate formed by the low molecular weight component of the cationic substance, the anionic dye and the cationic substance produced by the mechanism as described above has a large viscosity and does not move with the movement of the liquid medium, so that a full-color Even when adjacent ink dots are formed of different colors of ink as in image formation, they do not mix with each other, and bleeding does not occur. Also, the agglomerates are essentially water-insoluble and the formed images have perfect water resistance. Further, it also has an effect of improving the light fastness of an image formed by the shielding effect of the polymer.

Further, in practicing the present invention, it is not necessary to use a cationic polymer substance having a large molecular weight or a polyvalent metal salt as in the prior art, or even if it is necessary to use it, the present invention can be used. Since it is only necessary to use it supplementarily to further improve the effect, the amount of use can be minimized. As a result, another problem of the present invention is that the decrease in the coloring property of the dye, which has been a problem in the case of using a conventional cationic polymer substance or a polyvalent metal salt to obtain a water resistance effect, is eliminated. This can be mentioned as an effect.

The printing material used in carrying out the present invention is not particularly limited, and so-called plain paper such as copy paper and bond paper which have been conventionally used can be suitably used. Of course, a coated paper or a transparent film for OHP specially prepared for inkjet printing can be suitably used, and general high-quality paper or glossy paper can also be suitably used.

In practicing the present invention, the ink used is not particularly limited to a dye ink, but a pigment ink in which a pigment is dispersed may be used. Can be used. The following can be mentioned as an example of the pigment ink which causes aggregation by mixing with the above-mentioned colorless liquid A1. That is, as described below, yellow, magenta,
Cyan and black inks, Y2, M2, C2 and K2, can be obtained.

[Black Ink K2] Anionic polymer P-1 (styrene-methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate, acid value 400, weight average molecular weight 6,000, solid content 2
Using a 0% aqueous solution, a neutralizing agent: potassium hydroxide) as a dispersant, the following materials were charged into a batch-type vertical sand mill (manufactured by Imex), filled with glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm as a medium, and cooled with water. Dispersion treatment was performed for 3 hours. The viscosity after dispersion was 9 cps and the pH was 10.0. This dispersion is centrifuged to remove coarse particles,
A carbon black dispersion having a weight average particle size of 100 nm was prepared.

(Composition of Carbon Black Dispersion) 40 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) 24 parts of carbon black Mogul L (manufactured by Cablack) 24 parts of glycerin 15 parts of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 part of Next, the dispersion obtained above was sufficiently diffused to obtain a black ink K2 for inkjet containing a pigment. The solids content of the final preparation was about 10%. [Yellow ink Y2] Anionic polymer P-2 (styrene-acrylic acid-methyl methacrylate, acid value 28
0, an aqueous solution having a weight average molecular weight of 11,000 and a solid content of 20%, and a neutralizing agent: diethanolamine) as a dispersant, and performing dispersion treatment in the same manner as in the case of producing the black ink K2 using the following materials. , Weight average particle size 103
nm yellow dispersion was prepared.

(Composition of Yellow Dispersion) 35 parts of P-2 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) I. Pigment Yellow 180 24 parts (Nova Palm Yellow PH-G, manufactured by Hoechst) Triethylene glycol 10 parts Diethylene glycol 10 parts Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1.0 part Isopropyl alcohol 0.5 part Water 135 parts Obtained above The yellow dispersion thus obtained was sufficiently diffused to obtain an inkjet yellow ink Y2 containing a pigment. The solids content of the final preparation was about 10%.

[Cyan ink C2] Black ink K2
Using the anionic polymer P-1 used in the preparation of the above as a dispersant, the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was performed using the materials shown below, and a weight average particle size of 120 nm was obtained. A cyan dispersion was prepared.

(Composition of Cyan Dispersion) 30 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 24 parts (Fast Genble-FGF, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) ・ Glycerin 15 parts ・ Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 parts ・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts ・ Water 135 parts Cyan color dispersion obtained above Was sufficiently stirred to obtain a cyan ink C2 for inkjet containing a pigment. The solids content of the final preparation was about 9.6%.

[Magenta ink M2] Black ink K
2, using the anionic polymer P-1 used as a dispersant as a dispersant, and using the following materials, performing the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above, to obtain a weight average particle size of 115 nm. Magenta color dispersion was prepared.

(Composition of magenta color dispersion) 20 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) I. Pigment Red 122 (Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) 24 parts ・ Glycerin 15 parts ・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts ・ Water 135 parts The magenta color dispersion obtained above is sufficiently diffused to contain a pigment-containing magenta ink for inkjet. M2
I got The solids content of the final preparation was about 9.2%.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 corresponds to a sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.
An embodiment different from the first embodiment is included.

The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same numbers, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that a plurality of recording heads are mounted on the carriage, the arrangement position of the application roller, and the configuration of the processing liquid replenishing means for the application roller. These are described below.

FIG. 2 shows a state where the carriage 2 is waiting at the home position, and shows four recording heads 1A, 1A.
B, 1C and 1D are mounted on the carriage 2 at equal pitches M in the scanning direction (main scanning direction).

The application roller 13 is disposed on the upstream side (on the front side of the paper) of the recording head groups 1A to 1D in the sub-scanning direction, which is the direction in which the recording medium P is conveyed, and with respect to the main scanning direction, which is the image forming direction. It is arranged at the same position as the ejection center of the print head 1D located farthest from the print medium P. At this time, the position of the application roller 13 in the main scanning direction is
The application roller 13 does not have to be strictly coincident with the ejection center of the recording head 1D, and the application roller 13 may be slightly shifted to the right on the paper in consideration of the position intersection of each part.

Storage absorber 15 impregnated with a large amount of treatment liquid
Is fixed in the main body housing, and is arranged at a position where the upper surface thereof can contact the lower surface of the application roller 13 with an appropriate pressure in the height direction. Further, the length of the storage absorber 15 in the left-right direction on the paper surface is substantially equal to one rotation of the application roller 13.

In this configuration, after the recording medium P is temporarily stopped at an appropriate position as in the first embodiment, the carriage 2 is scanned rightward in the drawing. The roller 15 rolls on the body 15 and receives the supply of the processing liquid, and the application roller 13 rotates while being in contact with the recording medium P. As a result, the processing liquid is applied onto the recording medium P, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Other image forming methods are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment group are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the present embodiment, similarly to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 3, showing a state where the carriage 2 is waiting at the home position. Show.

What differs from the first and second embodiments is the amount of conveyance of the recording medium, the relationship of the length of the application section of the application roller, and the arrangement position of the application roller. These are described below.

The four recording head groups 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are mounted on the carriage 32 at equal pitches in the scanning direction. The application roller 33 is configured such that its shafts 33a and 33b
And 32b.

Here, the positional relationship between the above components is as follows.

L = 4 × B L: Length of each nozzle row of the recording heads 1A to 1D in the transport direction of the recording medium P (right direction in FIG. 3) B: Processing liquid application width of the application roller 13 The application roller 33 is configured such that an application point on the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the treatment liquid application area of the application roller 33 and a most upstream nozzle of the recording head 1 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction which is the conveying direction of the recording medium P. So that they match in the sub-scanning direction
In the main scanning direction, which is an image forming direction, the recording head 1A is arranged at an upstream position of the recording head 1A closest to the recording medium P.

With such a configuration, the recording medium P is temporarily stopped when the leading end of the recording medium P has passed the most downstream application point 33c of the application roller 33 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Next, the carriage 32 retracted to the position shown in FIG. 4 is scanned rightward in FIG. Then
As the carriage 32 moves, the application roller 33 rotates while being in contact with the recording medium, and the processing liquid is transferred to the recording medium P.
Apply on top. At this time, the processing liquid is appropriately supplied to the surface of the application roller 33 from the processing liquid storage unit 34 via the absorbing member 31. Thereafter, in FIG. 3, the recording medium P is transported rightward by the transport amount B (= L / 4), and the carriage 32 is scanned in the depth direction of the paper. Then, the carriage 32
Of the application roller 3 in the same manner as described above,
3 rotates while being in contact with the recording medium P, and applies the processing liquid onto the recording medium P. Subsequently, in FIG. 3, the recording medium P is transported rightward by the transport amount B (= L / 4).

After repeating this series of operations again,
While ejecting ink from the recording head 1 at an appropriate timing, the carriage 32 is scanned rightward in FIG. 4 and the original image data is reduced to な が ら while the processing liquid and the ink react on the recording medium P. Image formation is performed by thinning out. At the same time, as the scanning operation of the carriage 32 is performed, the processing liquid is applied to the recording medium P by the application roller 33 on the upstream side of the recording head 1 as described above. Hereinafter, the conveyance of the recording medium P and the scanning operation of the carriage 32 are repeated, and an image is formed on the entire surface of the recording medium P while reacting the processing liquid and the ink. What has been described here is to form an image by a so-called four-pass printing process.

In this embodiment, the transport amount L of the recording medium P at one time is set to L / 4, and the length B of the application portion of the application roller 33 is set to L / 4, which is the same as the transport amount. , L /
It is good also as 2. By doing so, even when the transport amount of the recording medium P can be set to two types of L / 4 and L / 2, it is possible to form an image without wasting time for coating and preventing unevenness of the processing liquid. Become.

As a countermeasure for the reciprocating printing of the carriage, the application roller 33, the processing liquid storage section 34,
Each of the absorbing members 31 may be disposed on the left side of the recording head 1D farthest from the recording medium P in FIG.

Further, the application roller 33 is moved by an appropriate method.
The recording medium P may be selectively separated from the recording medium P.

In the above embodiments, the transfer system using the application roller has been described as an example. However, the absorber impregnated with the processing liquid may be directly in contact with the recording medium.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The recording head 101 is fixed to a carriage 102, and the carriage 102 is supported by rails 103 and 104 fixed to a casing (not shown) so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The recording medium P has two paper feed roller pairs 10
5, 106 and 107, 108 so that they can be conveyed rightward. The transfer roller 111 made of rubber has its shaft 111a rotatably supported by the hole 113c of the rocking plate 113. The impregnating roller 112 has an impregnating portion 112b.
Is impregnated with a processing solution, and the shaft 112a is
The impregnated portion 112b is rotatably supported while being engaged with the transfer roller 111 by being engaged with the transfer roller 111. Rocking plate 11
3 is rotatably supported while holding the transfer roller 111 and the impregnating roller 112 while the shaft 113a is engaged with the housing. The solenoid 114 is fixed to the housing, and the pin 114a of the shaft portion is engaged with the long hole 113d of the swing plate 113. A platen 109 that supports the recording medium P is disposed below the recording head 101, the transfer roller 111, and the impregnating roller 112.

Next, the image forming operation will be described. The recording medium P conveyed by the paper feed mechanism (not shown) to the pair of paper feed rollers 107 and 108
The vehicle advances rightward in the figure by the driving force from the motors 7 and 108. At this time, the solenoid 114 is pulled upward in the figure,
As a result, the swinging plate 113 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and
It reaches the position shown by the chain line. Therefore, the transfer roller 11
1. The separation state in which the impregnating roller 112 is also maintained in the state of the two-dot chain line is maintained (separation mode). When the conveyance of the recording medium P proceeds and the leading end thereof comes directly below the contact portion 111b between the transfer roller 111 and the recording medium P, a sensor (not shown)
, And the excitation of the solenoid 114 is released by a signal from the control unit. As a result, the swinging plate 113 rotates clockwise, and the transfer roller 111 comes into contact with the recording medium P (contact mode). When the recording medium P is transported in this state, the transfer roller 111 rotates with the transport and the recording medium P
The treatment liquid is applied to the surface of the substrate. Further, when the recording medium P is transported and reaches the position shown in the figure, a sensor (not shown)
The transport operation is temporarily stopped by a signal from the control unit. Then, the carriage 102 located at a predetermined position in the vertical direction in the drawing performs a scanning operation in the vertical direction on the paper surface, simultaneously ejects ink from the recording head 101, and the processing liquid and the ink react on the recording medium P, An image is formed. At this time, if the standby state of the carriage 102 is prolonged due to transfer of image data and the stop time of the recording medium becomes longer than a specified time, the solenoid 114 is set to the excited state, and the transfer roller 111 is released until the next paper conveyance. good. The above operation is repeated to form an image on the entire surface of the recording medium. Also, depending on the type of recording medium, the solenoid is always in an excited state during image formation, and
May always be separated from the recording medium P. In this embodiment, the switching of the separation / contact mode is performed depending on whether or not the solenoid is excited. This is controlled by signals from a control unit and a mechanical control unit (FIG. 22).

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The same parts as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The difference from the fourth embodiment is that the processing liquid application means is not the transfer roller 111 but a processing liquid tank 121 having an application section made of a porous body 121a.
That is, the processing liquid tank 121 has the side surfaces 121c, 1
21d is supported by the support portion 122 of the housing so as to be movable up and down, stores a processing liquid inside, and the porous body 1
21a, and the pin 11 of the solenoid 114 is
4a has an elongated hole 121b engaged therewith. In such a configuration, image formation is performed as in the first embodiment. However, in the first embodiment, the transfer roller 111 is separated and abutted by the swinging plate 113 and the solenoid 114. However, in the present embodiment, when the application of the processing liquid is not necessary, the entire processing liquid tank 121 is moved to the solenoid 114. As a result, the coating operation is stopped by lifting the porous body 121a away from the recording medium P by pulling it up to the state indicated by the two-dot chain line in the drawing.

Further, the excitation of the solenoid is released, the processing liquid tank 121 is pulled down, and the processing liquid is applied by bringing the porous body 121a into contact with the recording medium P.

As described above, the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration using the transfer roller and the impregnating roller, and the application section may be directly used as the impregnating member.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the previous fourth and fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, the processing liquid is applied by using the transfer roller 125 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, but the supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller 125 is performed by the porous material 121 of the second embodiment.
The processing is performed by the processing liquid tank 121 having a.

That is, the transfer roller 125 is rotatably supported by the housing. Above it is a processing liquid tank 1
21 are disposed, and the processing liquid tank 121 is
1c and 121d are supported by a support portion 122 of the housing so as to be movable up and down. A processing liquid is stored in the inside, and a porous body 121a is provided at a lower portion thereof, and a pin 114a of a solenoid 114 is engaged at an upper portion thereof. It has a long hole 121b.

With such a configuration, image formation is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. At this time, the transfer roller 125
Can not be separated from the transfer roller 1
25, the processing liquid tank 121 can be separated from the transfer roller 125. As a result, when the processing liquid tank 121 is separated from the transfer roller 125, there is no supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller 125. It is possible to reduce the application of the processing liquid to a useless place or the application of an excessive processing liquid.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the previous fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the processing liquid is applied using the transfer roller 125 in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, but the processing liquid is supplied to the transfer roller 125 by dropping the processing liquid from the processing liquid tank 131. Then, the supply operation is stopped by the valve 132. The opening and closing of the valve 132, that is, the switching of the mode of supply and operation, is performed by operating an actuator (not shown) of the valve 132 by a signal from a control unit or a mechanical control unit (FIG. 22) according to image data, recording conditions, and the like. This is done by letting

In other words, the transfer roller 125 is rotatably supported by the housing. Above it is a processing liquid tank 1
The treatment liquid tank 131 is fixed to a housing, stores therein a treatment liquid, and has a small hole 131a below which a proper amount of the treatment liquid can be dropped. Processing liquid tank 1
A valve 132 is rotatably supported on the shaft 131b of the 31 by engaging its hole 132a.

With such a configuration, image formation is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. At this time, the transfer roller 125
Can not be separated from the transfer roller 1
The supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller 125 can be stopped. As a result, when the supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller 125 is stopped, there is no supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller. It is possible to reduce application of a processing liquid to a place or application of an excessive processing liquid.

As described above, the supply to the transfer roller 125 may be performed by a non-contact method, for example, a spray method.

(Eighth Embodiment) Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the fourth to seventh embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the method of applying and replenishing the processing liquid is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. However, the point that only the transfer roller 141 is separated and the separation and contact operation of the transfer roller 141 are performed using the operation of the carriage 102. The point to do is different.

The rubber transfer roller 141 has its shaft 141
a is engaged with the bearing 143 and is supported. Bearing 14
3 is vertically movably supported by the long hole 144b of the rocking plate 144, and the flat portion 143b is pressed by the pressing spring 145,
The pressing force is transmitted to the transfer roller 141. Rocking plate 144
The hole 144a is engaged with the shaft 142a of the impregnating roller 142 so that the hole 144a is rotatably supported. The pressure receiving spring 145 is received by the spring receiving portion 144c.
Is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a return spring 148 disposed between the flat portions 144d. The impregnating roller 142 holds the processing liquid in the impregnating section 142b and is in contact with the transfer roller 141. In addition, an abutting portion 147 is arranged on the housing as an upward stopper of the rocking plate 144.

Next, the image forming operation will be described. The recording medium P conveyed by the paper feed mechanism (not shown) to the pair of paper feed rollers 107 and 108
The vehicle advances rightward in the figure by the driving force from the motors 7 and 108. At this time, since the carriage 102 is at the position for separating the transfer roller 141 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface (the position at which the projection 144e of the rocking plate 144 is pressed down on the bottom end surface 102a of the carriage 102), the rocking plate 144 is moved counterclockwise in the drawing. To bring the upper surface into contact with the abutting portion 147, and is at the position shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure. Therefore, the transfer roller 1
41 is also in the separated state held in the state of the two-dot chain line. When the conveyance of the recording medium P proceeds and the leading end thereof comes directly below the contact portion between the transfer roller 141 and the recording medium P, the carriage 102 moves the transfer roller 141 from a position where the carriage 102 separates the transfer roller 141 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Move in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper to the position to be brought into contact.

Then, the bottom surface 10 of the tip of the carriage 102
2a pushes the projection 144e of the rocking plate 144, and as a result, the rocking plate 144 rotates clockwise to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 and the transfer roller 41 comes into contact with the recording medium P. When the recording medium P is conveyed in this state, the transfer roller 141 rotates with the conveyance, and the processing liquid is applied to the surface of the recording medium P. Further, the recording medium P is transported, and FIG.
When the transfer operation reaches the position shown in FIG. Then, the carriage 102 located at a predetermined position in the
Performs a scanning operation in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, simultaneously ejects ink from the recording head 101, and forms a good image while the processing liquid and the ink react on the recording medium P. At this time, since the carriage 102 moves to a position for separating the transfer roller 141, the transfer roller 141 is maintained in the separated state. Next, the carriage 102 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper from the position where the transfer roller 141 is separated in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper to the position where the transfer roller 141 abuts. Subsequently, a pair of paper feed rollers 105, 1
06 and 107, 108 are rotated to perform the paper feeding operation. At this time, as described above, the transfer roller 1
41 rotates to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the recording medium P. After the paper feeding operation is completed, the standby state of the carriage 102 is prolonged due to image data transfer or the like, and when the stop time of the recording medium P becomes longer than a specified time, the carriage 102 is moved to a position where the transfer roller 141 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is separated. The transfer roller 141 may be released until the recording head 101 is ready for the recording operation. The above operation is repeated to form an image on the entire surface of the recording medium.

The treatment liquid for insolubilizing the ink dye can be obtained as described above as an example. in this way,
Switching between the separation and contact modes is performed depending on whether or not the recording head is at a specific position on the carriage 102. The movement of the carriage 102 is controlled by signals from a control unit and a mechanical control unit (see FIG. 22).

In the following, the ninth to thirteenth embodiments will be described with respect to a configuration for avoiding the ink jet recording at the joint of the processing liquid applied by the application roller.

(Ninth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state of forming an image at the first scan when a processing liquid is applied by an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 11 is an image of FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a state of the image forming apparatus at the time of image formation on the second scan, and FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a state of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 10 at the time of image formation on the third scan. It is. Next, a method of applying a treatment liquid using a roller will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIGS. 10 to 12, paper P as a recording medium is provided by two feed roller pairs 291, 292 and 29.
3,294. An ink jet recording head H is supported between the two feed roller pairs 291, 292 and 293, 294 by a mechanism (not shown) at a position shown in the drawing so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. A platen 298 is arranged below the recording head H, and supports the paper (recording medium) P. A transfer roller 295 and a pressure roller 296 forming a roller pair are supported on the upstream side of the recording head H in the recording medium transport direction. An impregnating roller 297 impregnated with the treatment liquid is rotatably supported in a configuration in contact with the transfer roller 295.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 will be described. First, in FIG. 10, the recording medium (paper) P fed from the left side in the figure is connected to the upstream feed roller pair 2.
It is pinched by 93 and 294 and further proceeds to the right. FIG.
When the leading end of the paper P passes through the transfer point R of the transfer roller 295 as shown in FIG. 0, the transfer roller 295 rotates in the direction of the arrow a. Thus, an appropriate amount of the processing liquid is applied.

At this time, since the impregnating roller 297 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow b, the processing liquid in the impregnating section 297a is successively replenished from the transfer point Q onto the peripheral surface of the transfer roller 295 as shown by cross-hatching. Further, the paper P advances rightward on the platen 298 and stops at the recordable area as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the recording head H ejects ink while scanning in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface to form an image. That is, the image formation of the first scan is performed.
At this time, the colorant in the ink is aggregated by the treatment liquid by the process described above.

When the recording head H reverses (returns) the direction of movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, the two pairs of feed rollers 291, 292 and 293, 294 start rotating again, and the paper P further moves rightward. move on. Then, the paper P is discharged from the state shown in FIG.
It stops in the state of FIG. During this paper feeding, the transfer roller 295 and the impregnating roller 297 rotate in the same manner as described above, and the processing liquid is sequentially transferred to the transfer roller 295 and the paper P. In FIG. 11, a new paper P
The processing liquid transferred above is indicated by cross hatching, and the processing liquid newly transferred onto the transfer roller 295 is indicated by lower right hatching.

Here, similarly to the image formation in the first scan in FIG. 10, the recording head H ejects ink while scanning in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface to form an image. That is, the image formation of the second scan is performed. At this time, the colorant in the ink is aggregated by the processing liquid by the process described above. When the recording head H reverses (returns) the direction of movement in a direction perpendicular to the paper, the two pairs of feed rollers 291, 292 and 293, 294 start rotating again.
The paper P further advances rightward.

Then, the operation is stopped in the state shown in FIG. 12 in which the paper P has been fed by the length (the height or width of one line) L of the discharge port array from the state shown in FIG. During this paper feeding, the transfer roller 295 and the impregnating roller 297 rotate in the same manner as described above, and the processing liquid is sequentially transferred to the transfer roller 295 and the paper P. In FIG. 12, the processing liquid newly transferred onto the paper P is indicated by downward-sloping hatching, and the processing liquid newly transferred onto the transfer roller 295 is applied from the cross discharge port to the recording medium of the processing liquid application unit. The object of this embodiment is achieved by configuring the distance to the point to be an integral multiple of the minimum pitch amount among the plurality of paper feed pitch amounts.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 13 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 13, a sheet P as a recording medium includes two pairs of feed rollers 2.
01, 202 and 203, 204 are conveyed. Two roller pairs 201, 202 and 203,
An ink jet recording head H is supported by a mechanism (for example, a carriage mechanism) (not shown) so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction shown in FIG.

Below the recording head H, a platen 208 for guiding and supporting the paper P is disposed. A transfer roller 205 and a pressure roller 206 that form a pair of rollers that press against each other are supported on the upstream side of the recording head H in the recording medium transport direction. Impregnation part 2 impregnated with treatment liquid
An impregnating roller 207 having an edge 07a is rotatably supported in a configuration in contact with the transfer roller 205.

The ink jet recording head H is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. In addition, the recording head H performs recording by discharging ink from the discharge port by utilizing pressure change without causing growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. is there.

Next, the positional relationship between the components in FIG. 13 will be described. The transport direction of the recording medium P is a direction from left to right as indicated by a rightward arrow in FIG. here,
L: conveyance amount of recording medium per one time (paper feed pitch amount),
A: The ejection port H at the most upstream position in the recording medium conveyance direction of the ejection port array
a distance from a to the application point P of the processing liquid of the transfer roller 205 onto the recording medium P, B: transfer roller from the application point R on the transfer roller 205 to the transfer point Q of the processing liquid on the transfer roller 205 of the impregnating roller 207 205
When the upper distance is shown (shown by a thick line in the figure), the relationship is A = B = L.

Therefore, after an image is recorded on the recording medium P by the recording head H in the same procedure as in the case of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. The portion located at R is the most upstream discharge port Ha
, The seam of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area during the next image forming operation.

Further, the transfer roller 205 and the impregnation roller 2
07, that is, the processing liquid at the transfer point Q of the processing liquid from the impregnating roller 207 to the transfer roller 205 is:
By the paper feeding operation, the recording medium M is just transferred from the transfer roller 5.
Because there is a processing liquid application point R, there is no time difference after applying the processing liquid, and therefore, the surface density of the processing liquid becomes uniform.

If A and B cannot be made the same as L due to the arrangement of the apparatus, A = m × L and B = n × L (m, n:
(Integer), and in this case also, the seam of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area and the transfer roller in the next image forming operation.

In an ink jet recording head having a plurality of ejection port arrays, multi-pass printing is performed to obtain a higher quality image. This is not to form an image in one area by one printing operation, but to reduce the density unevenness of the final image due to the variation of the ink ejection amount and the ejection direction unique to each ejection port. The final image is obtained by performing several printing operations using different ejection port groups by thinning out the printing amount per printing.

On the other hand, when the recording medium is conveyed, the length corresponding to the length of the ejection port array is not sent at one time, but is fed in several times. Then, image formation is performed in two printing passes according to the required image level,
For example, image formation is performed in a single recording pass. In general, the more recording passes, the better the final image quality. Therefore,
In some cases, a recording medium transport unit capable of setting the paper feed pitch amount of the recording medium to a plurality of levels is provided.

Therefore, when the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of recording medium conveyance amounts can be set,
The following positional relationship may be used. For example, when a plurality of paper feed pitch amounts are K1, K2, and K3, K1 =
When three types of paper feed pitch amounts L, K2 = L / 2 and K3 = L / 3 can be set, the distance between A and B in FIG. 1 is determined in consideration of the least common multiple of K1, K2, and K3. And A = B
= L.

At this time, A = m × L, B
= N × L (m, n: integer). On the other hand, when priority is given only to three-pass printing in the high image quality mode due to space restrictions or the like, A = B = L / 3 or A = m × L / 3, B
= N × L / 3 (m, n: integer).

(Tenth Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, a sheet P, which is a recording medium, is conveyed while being pinched by two pairs of feed rollers 201, 202 and 203, 204. Two roller pairs 201, 202
Between 203 and 204, an inkjet recording head H is provided with a mechanism (not shown) (for example, a carriage mechanism).
Is supported at a position shown in the drawing so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. A platen 208 for guiding and supporting the sheet P is disposed below the recording head H. A spray-type treatment liquid application mechanism 210 is disposed upstream of the recording head H in the recording medium transport direction.

Next, the positional relationship between the components in FIG. 14 will be described. The transport direction of the recording medium P is a direction from left to right as indicated by a rightward arrow in FIG. here,
L: conveyance amount of recording medium per one time (paper feed pitch amount),
C: The ejection port H at the most upstream position in the ejection port array in the recording medium conveyance direction
When the distance from a to the application point R of the processing liquid at the center of the spray-type processing liquid application mechanism 10 to the recording medium P, C = L.

Therefore, after an image is recorded on the recording medium P by the recording head H in the same procedure as in the case of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. Since the portion on the recording medium P just below R is directly below the discharge port Ha on the most upstream side, the seam of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area during the next image forming operation.

If the distance C in FIG. 14 cannot be made equal to the distance L due to the arrangement of the apparatus, a relationship of C = m × L (m: integer) may be adopted. Also in this case, the joint of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area at the time of the next image forming operation.
Further, in the case where there is a recording medium conveying means capable of setting the paper feeding pitch amount of the recording medium P to a plurality of stages, the positional relationship is set as follows. For example, if a plurality of paper feed pitches
1, K2, K3, K1 = L, K2 = L / 2,
When three types of paper feed pitch amounts of K3 = L / 3 can be set, the distance L in FIG.
Considering the least common multiple of 3, C = L may be set. At this time, C = m × L (m: integer) may be set as described above. On the other hand, when priority is given only to three-pass printing in the high image quality mode due to space restrictions or the like, C = L / 3 or C = m
× L / 3 (m: integer).

(Eleventh Embodiment) FIG. 15 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an eleventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 15, a sheet P, which is a recording medium, is conveyed while being pinched by two pairs of feed rollers 201, 202 and 203, 204. Two feed roller pairs 201 and 2
An ink jet recording head H is supported between 02, 203, and 204 at a position shown in the drawing by a mechanism not shown (for example, moving means such as a carriage) so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

Below the recording head H, a platen 208 for guiding and supporting the paper feed of the recording medium P is arranged. On the upstream side of the recording head H in the recording medium transport direction, the transfer rollers 20 forming a pair of rollers (pressed against each other)
5 and a pressure roller 206 are pivotally supported. An intermediate roller 213 is rotatably supported by the configuration in contact with the transfer roller 205.

The relay roller 214 is rotatably supported by the intermediate roller 213. Further, a pumping roller 215 is rotatably supported by the configuration in contact with the relay roller 214. Further, the pumping roller 215 is immersed in the processing liquid 217 stored in the processing liquid tank 216. Next, the positional relationship between the components in FIG. 15 will be described. The conveying direction of the specific recording material P is a direction from left to right as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

Here, L: the recording medium transport amount (paper feed pitch amount) per turn, A: the recording medium P of the transfer roller 205 from the discharge port Ha at the most upstream side in the recording medium transport direction of the discharge port array.
From the application point R on the transfer roller 205 to the processing liquid transfer point T1 to the transfer roller 205 of the intermediate roller 213 (shown by a bold line in the drawing). ), E: processing liquid transfer point T of intermediate roller 213 to transfer roller 205
1 is a distance on the intermediate roller 213 from the processing roller transfer point T2 to the intermediate roller 213 of the relay roller 214 (shown by a bold line in the figure); F: the intermediate roller 2 of the relay roller 214
Roller 13 from the processing liquid transfer point T2 to
Assuming that the distance on the relay roller 214 to the transfer point T3 to the fifteen relay roller 214 (shown by a bold line in the drawing) is L = A = D = E = F.

Therefore, after an image is formed by the recording head H in the same procedure as that described in the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the recording medium P is sent even if the recording medium P is sent by the distance L in FIG. Since the portion which was at the application point R before is located immediately below the uppermost discharge port Ha, the seam of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area at the time of the next image forming operation. Furthermore, since the processing liquid on each of the transfer points T3, T2, and T1 just comes on T2, T1, and P by the paper feeding operation,
There is no difference in the elapsed time since the application of the processing liquid, and the surface density of the processing liquid becomes uniform.

If the distances A, D, E, and F in FIG. 15 cannot be made equal to L due to the arrangement of the apparatus, A = m1
× L, D = m2 × L, E = m3 × L, F = m4 × L (m
1, m2, m3, m4: integer). Also in this case, the joint of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area and the rollers 205, 213, and 214 at the time of the next image forming operation.

In the case where the recording medium P has a recording medium conveying means capable of setting the paper feed pitch (conveyance amount) of the recording medium P in a plurality of stages, the following positional relationship is set. For example,
When a plurality of paper feed amounts are K1, K2, and K3, K1 =
When three types of paper feed pitch amounts L, K2 = L / 2 and K3 = L / 3 can be set, the distances A, D,
E and F are given by taking the least common multiple of K1, K2 and K3 into account.
A = D = E = F = L.

At this time, A = m1 × L,
D = m2 × L, E = m3 × L, F = m4 × L (m1, m
2, m3, m4: integer). On the other hand, when priority is given only to three-pass printing in the high image quality mode due to space restrictions or the like, A = D = E = F = L / 3 or A = m1
× L / 3, D = m2 × L / 3, E = m3 × L / 3, F =
m4 × L / 3 (m1, m2, m3, m4: integer).

(Twelfth Embodiment) FIG. 16 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a twelfth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, the relay roller 214 in the eleventh embodiment of FIG. 15 is changed to a belt conveying means. The belt conveying means is for easily securing a sufficiently long conveying distance. In FIG. 16, a pair of rollers 22 rotatably supported at a position separated by a predetermined center distance
A bridging belt 222 is stretched around 0,221. Appropriate tension is applied to the bridging belt 222 by a mechanism (not shown).

The bridging belt 222 is
13 and the pumping roller 215. The positional relationship of the bridging belt 222 is as follows. That is, L: the recording medium conveyance amount (paper feed pitch amount) per time, G: the processing liquid transfer point T3 from the processing liquid transfer point T2 to the intermediate roller 213 of the bridging belt 222 to the bridging belt 222 of the pumping roller 215. G = 2 × L when the distance on the bridging belt 222 is indicated by a thick line in FIG.

For this reason, after forming an image by the ink jet recording head H in the same procedure as that described in the image forming apparatus of FIGS. 10 to 12, the recording medium M is fed by a distance (length) L. Also, since the portion located at the application point R before the paper feed comes just below the discharge port Ha on the most upstream side in the transport direction, the joint of the processing liquid does not come to the recording area at the time of the next image forming operation.

Further, the processing liquid at the processing liquid transfer point T3 from the pumping roller 215 to the bridging belt 222 is transferred to the transfer point T by the paper feeding operation of the recording medium P.
3 and the transfer point T from the belt to the intermediate roller 213
It is in a state where it has just come to the middle part of the distance G with respect to 2, and just comes to the transfer point T2 by the next paper feeding operation. Therefore, there is no difference in the elapsed time from the application of the processing liquid, and the surface density of the processing liquid becomes uniform.

The twelfth embodiment of FIG. 16 is different from the eleventh embodiment of FIG. 15 in the points described above, and has substantially the same configuration in other respects. Corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. A detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the unevenness of the processing liquid can be eliminated by the same idea as described in the eleventh embodiment of FIG. 15, and therefore, the twelfth embodiment of FIG. 15 is the same as the eleventh embodiment of FIG. The operation and effect of the invention are obtained.

(Thirteenth Embodiment) FIG. 17 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a thirteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 17, a sheet P serving as a recording medium is nipped and transported by two pairs of feed rollers 201, 202 and 203, 204. Two roller pairs 201, 202
Between 203 and 204, an ink jet recording head is supported at a position shown in the drawing by a mechanism (not shown) so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

A platen 208 for guiding and supporting the paper P is disposed below the recording head H. An impregnated transfer roller 231 having an impregnated section 213a impregnated with a processing liquid is rotatably supported on the upstream side of the recording head H in the recording medium transport direction. This impregnated transfer roller 231
Are arranged such that the impregnated portion 231a is in contact with the recording surface of the recording medium P.

Here, the two feed roller pairs 201 and 20
When the recording medium (paper) P is fed rightward in the figure by the reference numerals 2 and 203 and 204, the impregnated transfer roller 231 rotates in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the recording medium P as indicated by the arrow Z. Driven. By providing such an impregnated transfer roller 231, it is possible to uniformly apply the processing liquid on the surface of the recording medium P while preventing wrinkling of the recording medium P.

In the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the impregnation transfer roller 231 has been described as an example. However, the treatment liquid application means is not limited to this, and the ninth embodiment described with reference to FIGS. Configurations as in the twelfth embodiment may be adopted. Further, instead of the impregnated transfer roller 231, a configuration in which a belt-shaped material is impregnated with the treatment liquid and applied to the recording medium P, or a configuration in which a belt-shaped material is transferred to the transfer roller may be employed.

Next, an image forming apparatus which can always secure a necessary and sufficient amount of the processing liquid and can prevent deterioration of image quality will be described with reference to the following fourteenth to seventeenth embodiments.

(Fourteenth Embodiment) First, referring to FIG.
A fourteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

The recording head 301 is detachably fixed to the carriage 302 together with the tank section 303. The carriage 302 is fixed to a casing (not shown), and is movably supported by rails 305 and 306 extending in a direction perpendicular to the drawing (hereinafter, referred to as a direction perpendicular to the paper surface).
The tank unit 303 includes an ink storage unit 303a that stores ink containing a color material and a processing liquid storage unit 303 that stores a processing liquid.
b, and both storage sections 303a and 303b are configured to be exchangeable with respect to the carriage 302.

The recording medium P has two pairs of paper feed rollers 30
7, 308 and 309, 310, and can be conveyed from left to right as viewed in the drawing. A shaft 313a is provided below the processing liquid storage unit 303b.
The transfer roller 313 rotatably supported by the bearing portion 302a of No. 02 is disposed, and the processing liquid can be dropped onto the transfer roller 313 from the processing liquid storage section 303b via the pipe 314. An application absorbing member 312 held in a housing (not shown) so as to be able to move up and down and to be pressed and urged downward in the figure in a form not in contact with the lower portion of the transfer roller 313.
Is arranged. A platen 31 for supporting the recording medium P is provided below the recording head 301 and the application absorbing member 312.
1 is arranged.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.

The paper feed roller pair 3 is driven by a paper feed mechanism (not shown).
Thereafter, the recording medium P conveyed to 09 and 310 advances rightward in the figure by the driving force from the paper feed rollers 309 and 310. When the recording medium P further advances rightward, the recording medium P is sandwiched between the coating and absorbing member 312 impregnated with an appropriate amount of the processing liquid and the platen 311. Apply the liquid. At this time, if necessary, before the recording medium P is conveyed, the carriage 302 is scanned in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and
The processing liquid is applied to the absorbing member 31 via the transfer roller 313.
2 may be replenished.

Further, when the recording medium P is conveyed rightward in the figure, and reaches the position shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance operation is temporarily stopped. The carriage 302 at a predetermined position in the vertical direction in the figure
Performs a scanning operation in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, simultaneously ejects ink from the recording head 301 at an appropriate timing, and forms a good image while the processing liquid and the ink react on the recording medium P. At this time, the scanning operation of the carriage 302 causes the transfer roller 313 onto which the processing liquid has been dropped to rotate on the coating and absorbing member 312, and the processing liquid is applied to the coating and absorbing member 312.
To replenish. In this replenishment operation, a valve mechanism or the like may be provided between the pipe 314 in the carriage 302 and the transfer roller 313 to perform appropriate drop control.

Next, as the recording medium P is conveyed rightward in the figure by a distance corresponding to the recording width of the recording head 301, the processing liquid is discharged in the same procedure as described above. Applied on top.

The above operation is repeated, and an image is formed on the entire surface of the recording medium while reacting the processing liquid and the ink.

(Fifteenth Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG.
A fifteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

The same components as those in the fourteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The present embodiment differs from the fourteenth embodiment in the structure of the processing liquid application means and the replenishing means.

[0196] A porous absorber 323 fixed to the carriage 302 is provided below the processing solution storage section 303b, and the pipe 31 inserted into the porous absorber 323 is provided.
4, the processing liquid can be supplied from the processing liquid storage section 303b. Below the porous absorber 323, a transfer roller 321 fixed to a housing (not shown) and having a rubber portion 321a is provided. The transfer roller 321 is disposed below the transfer roller 321 so that the recording medium P can be held therebetween.
A pressure roller 322 that pressurizes is provided.

Next, the image forming operation will be described. The recording medium P conveyed to the position of the pair of paper feed rollers 309 and 310 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) then advances rightward in the figure by the driving force from the paper feed rollers 309 and 310. When the recording medium P further advances rightward, the recording medium P is sandwiched between the transfer roller 321 and the pressure roller 322 that hold an appropriate amount of the processing liquid on the surface of the rubber portion 21a, and The processing liquid is applied to the recording medium P according to the transport operation of P. At this time, if necessary, prior to the transport operation of the recording medium P, the carriage 302
Is scanned in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and is transferred to the transfer roller 3 via the porous absorber 323 fixed to the carriage 302.
21 may be replenished with a processing liquid.

Further, the recording medium P is conveyed rightward in the figure, and the leading end of the recording medium P is moved to the pair of paper feed rollers 307 and 30.
When reaching the position beyond 8, the transport operation is temporarily stopped. Then, the carriage 302 located at a predetermined position in the vertical direction in the drawing performs a scanning operation in the vertical direction on the paper, and simultaneously ejects ink from the recording head 301 at an appropriate timing, and the processing liquid and the ink react on the recording medium P. While forming a good image.

Next, the recording medium P is conveyed in the right direction in FIG. 19 by a distance corresponding to the recording width of the recording head 301, and with the conveyance, the processing liquid is discharged in the same procedure as described above. Coated on P.

The above operation is repeated to form an image on the entire surface of the recording medium while reacting the processing liquid and the ink.

(Sixteenth Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG.
A sixteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

The same components as those in the fourteenth and fifteenth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the processing liquid is applied by using the transfer roller 325 in the same manner as in the fourteenth embodiment.
The configuration of the means for supplying the processing liquid to the transfer roller 325 is different from that of the previous embodiment.

The tank section 333 is composed of an ink storage section 333a containing a color material and a processing liquid storage section 333b.
The carriage 302 can be replaced. A porous absorber 333c is attached to a lower portion of the processing liquid storage section 333b.

With such a configuration, image formation is performed in the same manner as in the fifteenth embodiment. At this time, the supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller 321 is performed by bringing the porous absorber 333c impregnated with an appropriate amount of the processing liquid into contact with the transfer roller 321 in accordance with the scanning operation of the carriage 302 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. .

(Seventeenth Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG.
A seventeenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

The same components as those in the fourteenth to sixteenth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The present embodiment is characterized in that the arrangement of the tank portion 343 is different from those of the fourteenth to sixteenth embodiments.

That is, the ink storage section 343 containing the color material
The tank unit 343 composed of a and the processing liquid storage unit 343b is replaceably disposed not on the carriage 342 but on a housing (not shown). Tubes 344 and 345 are provided inside the housing so as not to hinder the scanning operation of the carriage 342 and the conveyance operation of the recording medium P.
The ink storage unit 343a and the recording head 34
The connection between the processing liquid storage unit 343 b and the porous absorber 323 fixed to the carriage 342 is connected between the two. The image forming procedure is the same as in the fifteenth and sixteenth embodiments. At this time, the supply of the processing liquid to the transfer roller 321 is performed in accordance with the scanning operation of the carriage 342 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and is disposed below the processing liquid storage unit 333b and impregnated with an appropriate amount of the processing liquid. 333c is performed by contacting the transfer roller 321. Further, the supply of the processing liquid to the porous absorber 333c is performed from the processing liquid storage section 343b fixed in the housing to the tube 345.
This is performed by dropping the processing liquid from the pipe 314 via

The tank section constituted by the ink storage section containing the color material and the processing liquid storage section may be fixed not only on the carriage on which the scanning operation is performed but also at an appropriate position in the main body. Absent.

Further, in the above embodiment, the replenishment operation of the processing liquid was performed along with the scanning operation of the carriage. However, a suitable porous absorber having a configuration in which it is opposed to and abutted on the transfer roller is provided in the main body housing. It is also possible to arrange them and perform a replenishing operation by using a tube as in the above embodiment.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a tank section composed of an ink storage section containing a color material and a processing liquid storage section, whether the tank section is replaced integrally with the recording head or the tank is replaced independently. It is possible.

In the above embodiment, the serial type in which the ink jet recording head H is moved in the main scanning direction has been described. However, the present invention relates to a line recording head having a length covering the entire width or a part of the recording medium. Can be similarly applied to the case of a line type in which recording is performed only in the sub-scanning by using, and the same effect can be achieved. Further, in addition to the case where one print head is used in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has a similar effect when a color image or a gradation image is printed using a plurality of print heads.

Further, in the present invention, a replaceable head cartridge in which an ink discharge section and an ink storage section are integrated is used as a print head, or a print head section and an ink tank are separately provided, and an ink supply section is provided between the print head section and the ink tank. The arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank can be freely selected, for example, by connecting them with a tube or the like.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an ink jet printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus of the embodiment. Character or image data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as image data) is input from the host computer to the reception buffer 401 of the inkjet printing apparatus 400. Further, data for confirming whether data is correctly transferred and data for informing the operation state of the printing apparatus are transferred from the printing apparatus to the host computer. Data input to the reception buffer 401 is transferred to a memory unit 403 in the form of a RAM and temporarily stored under the control of a control unit 402 having a CPU. The mechanical control unit 404 responds to a command from the control unit 402
Taking the embodiment as an example, the carriage 102 (see FIG. 5) and the paper feed roller pairs 105, 106 and 107, 108,
A mechanical unit 405 such as a carriage motor or a line feed motor serving as a power source for the transfer roller 111 and the impregnating roller 112 (see FIG. 1) and a solenoid 114 is driven. The sensor / SW control unit 406 includes various sensors and SWs.
A signal from the sensor / SW unit 407 including a (switch) is sent to the control unit 402. Display element control unit 408
Is the LE of the display panel group in response to a command from the control unit 402.
The display of the display element unit 409 including D and a liquid crystal display element is controlled. The head control unit 410 includes a control unit 402
The print heads 101 are individually controlled by instructions from
Further, temperature information indicating the state of each of these heads is transmitted to the reading control unit 402.

The control section 402 is provided with an image processing section 411 for performing image processing described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus having functions as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying apparatus.

In FIG. 23, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, such as a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / Os.
An I / O port is provided to output a control signal or a data signal or the like to each unit, or to control by inputting a control signal or a data signal from each unit. A display unit 1802 displays various menus, document information, image data read by the image reader 1807, and the like on the display screen. Reference numeral 1803 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to input items, coordinate positions, and the like on the display unit 1802.

[0219] Reference numeral 1804 denotes FM (Frequency M).
music information created by a music editor or the like in the memory unit 1810 or the external storage device 18.
Digital data is stored in the memory 12 and read out from the memory or the like to perform FM modulation. FM
The electric signal from the sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805. The printer unit 1806 is an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile machine, or a copying machine to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader for photoelectrically reading and inputting document data. The image reader 1807 is provided in the middle of the document transport path and reads various documents such as facsimile documents and copy documents. 1808 is the image reader unit 1
A facsimile (FAX) transmission / reception unit for facsimile transmission of the original data read in 807 and reception and decoding of the transmitted facsimile signal, and has an external interface function. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

A ROM 1810 stores a system program, a manager program, other application programs, a character font, a dictionary, and the like.
A memory unit including an application program and document information loaded from the external storage device 1812 and a video RAM.

Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard for inputting document information and various commands.

An external storage device using a floppy disk or a hard disk as a storage medium.
Reference numeral 12 stores document information, music or audio information, user application programs, and the like.

FIG. 24 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In FIG. 24, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using a liquid crystal or the like, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information, and the like. This display 190
By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like, a coordinate input or an item designation input can be performed. 1902 is a handset used when the device functions as a telephone. The keyboard 1903 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord, and can input various document information and various data. The keyboard 1903 is provided with various function keys 1904 and the like. Reference numeral 1905 denotes a slot for inserting a floppy disk into the external storage device 1812.

[0226] Reference numeral 1906 denotes a paper placing portion for placing a document to be read by the image reader portion 1807, and the read document is discharged from the rear portion of the apparatus. In the case of facsimile reception or the like, printing is performed by the inkjet printer 1907.

In the above, the display unit 1802 is C
Although RT may be used, a flat panel such as a liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is desirable. This is because the weight can be reduced in addition to the reduction in size and thickness.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard unit 1811 is processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and
The image is output to an image 806.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from a facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808 via a communication line is received and processed by a control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copier, a document is read by an image reader 1807 and the read document data is sent to a printer 18 via a controller 1801.
06 is output as a copy image. When functioning as a facsimile receiver, the image reader unit 1
The original data read by 807 is transmitted to control unit 180.
After transmission processing according to a predetermined program by 1
The data is transmitted to the communication line via the facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808.

The above-mentioned information processing apparatus may be of an integral type having a built-in ink jet printer as shown in FIG. 25. In this case, the portability can be further improved. 24, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals.

By applying the printing apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, high-quality printed images can be obtained at high speed and with low noise.
The function of the information processing apparatus can be further improved.

[0233]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having an application unit for applying a processing liquid while being in contact with a recording medium, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can efficiently apply a required amount of the processing liquid and does not hinder miniaturization of the apparatus.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, by disposing the processing liquid applying means between the ink tank and the recording medium, the processing liquid applying means can be arranged with a high space efficiency.

[0235]

[0236]

Further, the replenishing operation can be performed compactly by supplying the processing liquid to the processing liquid application means from the processing liquid storage unit mounted on the carriage.

[0238]

[0239]

[0240]

[0241]

[0242]

[0243]

[0244]

[0245]

[0246]

[0247]

[0248]

[0249]

[0250]

[0251]

[0252]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of an eighth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state at the time of forming an image in a first scan when a processing liquid is applied by the image forming apparatus.

11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10 at the time of image formation in the second scan.

FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10 at the time of image formation at the third scan.

FIG. 13 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic vertical sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a twelfth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 17 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a thirteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fifteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a main part of a sixteenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system using an image forming apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 24 is an external perspective view of an information processing system using an image forming apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 25 is an external view showing another example of the information processing system using the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

P Recording medium 1, 101, H Recording head 2, 32, 102, 302, 342 Carriage 3, 303a, 333a, 343a Ink tank 4, 121, 131, 216, 303b, 333b, 3
43b Processing liquid tank (processing liquid storage unit) 5, 6, 103, 104, 305, 306 Rails 7 to 10, 105 to 108, 307 to 310 Paper feed roller pair 11, 109, 208, 298, 311 Platen 12, 15 , 31,312,323,333c Porous absorber (absorbing member, storage absorber) 13,33 Coating roller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 7-298525 (32) Priority date November 16, 1995 (November 16, 1995) (33) Priority claim country Japan (JP) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 2/21 B41J 29/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A carriage for moving an ink jet recording head for ejecting an ink containing a color material from an ink ejection port relative to a recording medium; and And a processing liquid applying means for applying a processing liquid for aggregating a coloring material in ink to the recording medium in contact with the recording medium, wherein the most upstream discharge port in the recording medium transport direction of the discharge port array of the inkjet recording head The distance between the liquid and the most downstream discharge port is L, the processing liquid application width of the processing liquid application means is A, and the recording of the processing liquid application area of the most upstream discharge port of the ink jet recording head and the processing liquid application means is performed. When the distance from the application point on the most downstream side in the medium transport direction is P, L
= A = P, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that: 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ink tank for storing the ink containing the color material, wherein the ink tank is mounted on the carriage. An image forming apparatus disposed between the ink tank and the recording medium. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply of the processing liquid to the processing liquid application unit is performed from a processing liquid storage unit mounted on the carriage. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid application unit is a transfer roller member. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface tension of the treatment liquid is lower than a surface tension of the ink. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid contains a cationic substance of a low molecular component and a high molecular component, and the ink contains an anionic dye. . 7. The treatment liquid according to claim 1, wherein the treatment liquid contains a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink contains an anionic dye or at least an anionic compound. And a pigment. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head has an electrothermal converter that generates heat energy for generating energy for discharging the ink. apparatus.